CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr ZAPPIA (Makin) (10:41): On Saturday 5 September I attended the 60th anniversary celebration of the Northern Light Theatre Company at the iconic Shedley Theatre in Elizabeth in the electorate of the member for Spence, who is here in the chamber. With its first production in 1966 being The Quaker Girl, this community musical theatre company has since then showcased over 100 productions, including classic favourites Jersey Boys, Annie, Les Miserables, Catch Me If You Can, The Little Mermaid, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Wedding Singer, Frozen, Billy Elliot, Singin' in the Rain, Grease, Oklahoma and so many more.

With its origin as the Northern Light Operatic Society presenting musical comedies and light opera, the theatre company has not only brought years of locally produced entertainment to the community but has won countless awards—too many to individually mention today—across a range of theatre categories and has kicked off the career of many people, young and old, pursuing theatre production or performance roles.

On Saturday night, original cast members thrilled the audience with live performances of classical songs from past productions. It was a night of reminiscing, acknowledgements and inspiration as decades of extraordinary commitment by so many people were recognised and celebrated. Emceed by Rohan Watts—himself an accomplished Northern Light Theatre Company performer—the evening not only brought past and present participants together but highlighted the contribution the theatre company has made to the wider community and the joy it has brought to live theatre crews and theatre lovers over decades.

My compliments to president Sue Pole—herself an accomplished stage director who has directed many of the performances there over the years—and to her current committee team, Jan Powell, Tegan Gully-Crispe, Kim Abbott, Cheryl Ford, Delwyn Watts, Jo Herring and Gavin Cianci, for both Saturday night's event and their personal years of tireless work in keeping the Northern Light Theatre Company going.

My thanks also to everyone who have over the past 60 years contributed to the theatre company in any way whatsoever. It has not always been easy. It was said on the night that theatre in this country and the arts generally need far more support from governments than they have been receiving.

I certainly endorse that comment, and I have to say that the theatre crew and the arts community more broadly do so much for our own community. For the Northern Light Theatre Company, it has been a true community success story. I wish them well for the future and every continued success.

I look forward to attending their next production.